A stables development proposed for a farmhouse building on Long Mountain has been refused due to its "excessive size".

A decision notice confirming the rejection of the scheme to house 8 horses, a tack room and fodder storage facility at Beechfield Farm, near Worthen was published by Shropshire Council yesterday, September 23.

The application for the erection of a 900 square metre private use equestrian building and all associated works from applicants Mr SJ Roberts & Ms A Pickstock was turned down by the council, who questioned the size of the development and its impact on the farm's 19th century farmhouse building and surrounding countryside.

The application received an objection from Worthen with Shelve Parish Council who said that while they were sympathetic to the purpose of the application, the size of the building was "excessive".

However one submission from a neighbour was received in support, who stated that it was pleasing that the property was going to have a working life.

"Beechfield Farm is an isolated property in the open countryside situated on the lower slopes of Long Mountain to the west of Hampton Beech," read a report on the application by council planning officers.

"The farmhouse is not (a) listed building but does date from the C19 and there is a C19 traditional red brick and slate agricultural building to the back of the farmyard that is currently being repaired.

"The proposed equine building by reason of its excessive size, design and appearance is not considered to be keeping with the existing traditional farm building that it would be sited next door to.

"Nor has any justification been provided to support why a such a substantial equine building needs to be located in this particular position in what was the original collecting yard for the farmstead and which would affect the future functionality of the original building and furthermore why it also needs to extend so far into the paddock beyond.

"The proposal would therefore had a detrimental visual impact on the character of the farmyard and the surrounding open rural landscape."

A decision notice issued by Assistant Director of Economy & Place Tracey Darke said the council felt the development would have a detrimental impact on the setting of the existing farm building, and this would also result in harm to the significance of a non-designated heritage asset within the existing farmstead.

"Despite the Council wanting to work with the applicant in a positive and proactive manner as required in the National Planning Policy Framework paragraph 38, the proposed development is contrary to adopted policies as set out in the officer report and referred to in the reasons for refusal, and it has not been possible to reach an agreed solution." the decision notice concluded.